A 12-year fight over a compensation claim has finally been settled with the payment of €345,000 to a man who became ill following lengthy exposure to paint solvents, website nu.nl reports.

The man was declared 100% unfit for work after developing a neurological disease known as chronic painter’s syndrome at the age of 34. It is the highest compensation package ever made in the Netherlands for this particular illness.
The case, which ended up in the high court, is the longest one ever dealt with by the industrial injury board, its director Marian Schaapman told the website.
Insurance companies ‘dig their heels in and string workers along for as long as they can,’ Schaapman said.